The Daily Stoic This Says So Much About You
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Oct 1, 2025 Explore the significance of how we treat the vulnerable, particularly the elderly, and what it says about our values as a society. Small gestures of care can reveal deep leadership qualities, highlighted by historical examples like Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius. Ryan discusses the implications of neglecting the aged, linking this to a society's moral fiber. The journey through mentorship and respect for wisdom over rivalry illustrates timeless lessons in character and compassion.
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A Private Moment Revealed Leadership
- Hadrian trusted Antoninus after seeing him gently help his ailing father-in-law up stairs when no one was watching.
- That small, private act revealed Antoninus's character and led Hadrian to entrust him with power.
Civic Virtue Is Shown In Care
- Roman culture celebrated carrying an elderly parent as the ideal of civic virtue, most famously in Virgil's Aeneid.
- That cultural image made compassion for the vulnerable a signal of true Roman character.
Care For Those Who Served You
- Treat elders and those who served society with respect and care instead of discarding them when they're no longer useful.
- Honor obligations to parents and retirees as a measure of personal and social virtue.
